If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Is Tunch Ilkin a legitimate candidate for the OL coaching position?

Is Tunch Ilkin a legitimate candidate for the offensive line coach position vacated by Sean Kugler?

By Paper Champions on Jan 2

Is there any truth to the rumors that Tunch Ikin may become the next offensive line coach, and what would this mean for the Steelers?

Bill Cowher once offered former Steelers player and current radio analyst Tunch Ilkin the team's offensive line coach job. Ilkin turned the job down because of the time commitments, but the compelling question is what would make Cowher offer the position to a former player that has no previous coaching experience?

Tunch is renowned in league circles for being a master at teaching pass protection. He was an undersized left tackle that was able to last as long as he did because of excellent technique.

It goes a little beyond that, however.

Ilkin revolutionized pass protection; specifically, how offensive linemen use their hands in pass pro. Ilkin was really the first one to bring the techniques of martial arts into pass protection. Ilkin taught that in order to get more power with a punch, a linemen needed to punch with the muscles in their back in addition to the ones in their chest. This could be accomplished by squeezing the lat muscles together before the punch.

Hand-eye coordination was stressed also. Therefore, you would see Ilkin basically looking like a boxer hitting a heavy bag. Instead of throwing jabs, hooks, and crosses, Tunch would deliver two and one hand punches. Over and over again until it became second nature.

Ilkin would also work on things like the quick replacement of hands after a defender knocked them down and hitting small targets like shoulders.

Those are just a few, basic examples. It goes a lot deeper. Basically, Ilkin took the use of hands in pass pro and turned it into a science. Ilkin visited many teams after he retired to teach other coaches the techniques that allowed him to play as long as he did in the NFL. Everybody now does some type of version of the "Tunch Punch".

Rae Crowther is a company that has been selling football equipment forever. If you go on their website, you'll see a Tunch Punch ladder. Picture an agility ladder that you might see on those stupid Under Armour commercials. Only, the ladder is mounted on a wall instead of on the ground. You move down the ladder but with your hands instead of your feet. Nowadays, offensive linemen work on their hands just as much as they do on their feet. This is the influence of Ilkin.

So, no doubt, Tunch knows his stuff when it comes to pass protection, and he obviously knows how to teach it since he has been asked to do just that at so many places. However, there is a lot more that goes into coaching than just that. Would Tunch be able to communicate with today's athlete? Would he be able to deal with the grind of coaching in the NFL? Can he teach Marcus Gilbert to inflict some pain on the opposing team instead of the guys in the same uniform? Who knows?

I had the chance to meet Ilkin once. He is the type of guy that is able to walk into a room and get the attention of everyone. He has that natural charisma. He is able to capture an audience. That is probably one of the things that is most over-looked in coaches. It doesn't really matter what the coach knows, what matters is what the player knows. As simple as that sounds, ego doesn't allow some coaches, even some in the NFL, to really buy into that philosophy. I don't see that as being a problem with Ilkin.

It not as easy as just looking at some of the guys that are currently available and say they would look great in Black and Gold. That is what happened to the Eagles. They brought in Howard Mudd to coach their offensive line after Juan Castillo was promoted to defensive coordinator. If there is a Hall of Fame for offensive line coaches, Mudd would be in on the first ballot. But, he was a disaster in Philly. Mudd likes big offensive linemen because he believes in a vertical pass drop set, whereas Castillo always preferred smaller, more athletic linemen. The overhaul that resulted really impeded their offense. Some guys may teach things a certain way that doesn't fit with Haley or the players we currently have. That narrows the list, and would obviously bode well for Ilkin if he was interested in the job.

Because of the upcoming draft, I would expect the Steelers to hire someone sooner rather than later for the offensive line job. Whether Ilkin is hired or not, you can bet that some of the techniques that he developed will be utilized.

He would be great I also believe he would be a great OC. If anyone is interested go to Steelers. com and watch some of the chalk talk videos this man knows football inside and out please Mike make it happen.

Tunch is certainly an intelligent guy who knows his stuff, plus he's a Steeler through-and-through, working as a color commentator for the team after retiring from the Black and Gold as a player. I know that Craig Wolfley has worked with linemen in the past on boxing technique (but Wolf is more of a meathead, while Tunch is more cerebral). Both seem like good guys, though, and they've worked together as teammates as well as broadcasters. They could bring Chuck Noll philosophy to today's players. Perhaps Tunch as OL coach and Wolf as assistant OL coach. Although the radio broadcasts might suffer, our OL could benefit.

NFL player locker room talk: Discussing what can be done about racial inequality and criminal justice reform.

According to the highest office in the country, some "very fine people" marched with torches in a violent protest in Charlottesville, but participating in a non-violent protest on a football field means you are an S.O.B. who should be fired.

Tunch is certainly an intelligent guy who knows his stuff, plus he's a Steeler through-and-through, working as a color commentator for the team after retiring from the Black and Gold as a player. I know that Craig Wolfley has worked with linemen in the past on boxing technique (but Wolf is more of a meathead, while Tunch is more cerebral). Both seem like good guys, though, and they've worked together as teammates as well as broadcasters. They could bring Chuck Noll philosophy to today's players. Perhaps Tunch as OL coach and Wolf as assistant OL coach. Although the radio broadcasts might suffer, our OL could benefit.

I was thinking that. Listening to Tunch's call during "the tackle" in the in Indy playoff game brings tears to my ears.

I heard that Tunch has been approached about the position and is considering it. Would be great to see him on the sidelines for a few years, and hopefully his radio job will be waiting for him when he is ready.

I would love to see Tunch as the OL Coach. As it has been cited he was an amazing technician and that is exactly what we need to develop Adams, Gilbert and DeCastro. Plus I think he would instill some of the old Steelers OL "swagger" back into that unit.

I was thinking that. Listening to Tunch's call during "the tackle" in the in Indy playoff game brings tears to my ears.

I heard that Tunch has been approached about the position and is considering it. Would be great to see him on the sidelines for a few years, and hopefully his radio job will be waiting for him when he is ready.

I'm no doctor, but tears coming out of your ears can't be a good sign. "Cancel those reservations to Denver"

NFL player locker room talk: Discussing what can be done about racial inequality and criminal justice reform.

According to the highest office in the country, some "very fine people" marched with torches in a violent protest in Charlottesville, but participating in a non-violent protest on a football field means you are an S.O.B. who should be fired.

Ilkin was really the first one to bring the techniques of martial arts into pass protection.

Ilkin Wax Off.

Not sure if this article cracked anyone else up as much when they read it, but I picture Ngata lining up in a crane kicking position and Ilkin crapping himself on the sideline thinking "No can defense". And then Ilkin and the rest of the coaches pull out hand drums and show the world that, yes, the crane kick can be defended. And DD and Pouncey and crew start clobbering the Ravens with the hand drum immitation.